High function in a small side yard! Pergola, patio, raised bed, fountain, etc.

An after visit a couple of years later!
This is an example of a small contemporary side yard full sun garden in Houston with a water feature and brick pavers.

Walkways

Ronni Hock Garden & Landscape

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary side yard garden in New York with a garden path and brick pavers.

House Nerd - Ariane Prevost Home

User

Design ideas for a contemporary backyard shaded garden in Perth with brick pavers.

York Show House 2011

Charles C Hugo Landscape Design

Photos Rob Karosis
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary side yard garden in Portland Maine with a vertical garden and brick pavers.

Sierra Alta

Tracie Butler Interior Design

Design ideas for a contemporary front yard garden in Los Angeles with brick pavers.

Barnes

Nature Designs Landscaping

Photo of a contemporary garden in San Diego with brick pavers and with pond.

Amersham Entertaining Garden

Chiltern Garden Design

A clay paver path sweeps between densely planted planting beds filled with perennials, shrubs, bulbs and box balls for evergreen structure. Pleached trees in large containers enhance the facade of the house along the main terrace.

Putt, Putt, Play!

2 Crazy Gardeners Landscaping

Photo of a large contemporary backyard partial sun outdoor sport court for summer in Other with with outdoor playset and brick pavers.

Australian Native Front Yard

City Botanics

Photo of a mid-sized and australian native contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape in Sydney with with rock feature and brick pavers.

Cammeray Courtyard

ecodesign Pty Ltd

Industrial finishes of polished concrete recycled bricks and hardwood give this courtyard project an urban feel. Designed for clients with a brief to create a highly functional space for entertaining. Particular attention has been given to luxury inclusions such as LED garden lighting, outdoor heating, operable pergolas, off form BBQ bench with outdoor bar fridge, inbuilt ice box and floating hardwood timber bench. The plant species were selected for low maintenance and mature size. We included 2 raised planters to create a sense of scale and depth. We have selected plants with lush foliage and silver highlights to provide edges to the adjacent hard surfaces. Photography Peter Brennan

Randwick

Pepo Botanic Design

Our clients wanted us to create a garden that screened the neighbours, was less ‘linear’ and be textured and lush. They wanted a garden that had layers and depth, something to journey through and enjoy. Drawing on the utilitarian, earthy materials of the home a modest material palette of decomposed granite and recycled brick was used to tie the style of the home to the garden terraces. Each terrace whether for outdoor dining or for relaxing under the dappled light of the trees provides a garden space that is enjoyed by all. Photo by Natalie Hunfalvay

unique drive entry

REMARK

Charleston Home and Design
This is an example of a contemporary front yard driveway in Charleston with brick pavers.

Calhoun Landscaping

Landscape Renovations, Inc.

This is an example of a large contemporary front yard partial sun driveway for spring in Minneapolis with a garden path and brick pavers.

Gartenräume

IndigaGärten GmbH & Co. KG

Indiga Gärten
This is an example of a large contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Hamburg with a garden path and brick pavers.

Claremont Residence

The Garden Light Company

Landscape design by Cultivart
Inspiration for a contemporary front yard garden in Perth with a garden path and brick pavers.

Georgian townhouse terraced garden

Catriona Rowbotham Architecture & Garden Design

Small moves in this steeply terraced rear garden created new brick planters for herbs close to the kitchen, new storage bult under the BBQ and to the side of the doors, two new sunny sitting spots and a small veg planter. Two new olive trees create privacy and partially conceals the new bike shed, which will also be soon covered by a fragrant evergreen climber. The existing hard landscape was expertly cleaned, repaired and then matched to create the new sofa area and brick planters. The veg patch is in full sun and provides a lovely spot to relax. Existing climbers were incorporated into the design, so that when the new trees and perennials were added the whole garden looked mature very quickly. Evergreen trees, topiary and herbs provide year round interest. The remaining perennials add a cool white and purple palette, with touches of apricot in every growing season.

Muswell Hill Modernist Garden

Nordland Landscapes

This garden had originally been installed by the developers of this new-build property. The homeowner, a trained garden designer, provided us with a modernist garden design to replace an outdoor space that didn’t suit their needs. Having a north facing aspect, the garden didn’t get a lot of sunlight. We used light-coloured porcelain paving from London Stone to help brighten up the garden. The timber fences were painted a dark colour to create contrast to the light-coloured paving and to give a dark backdrop to frame the planting. To satisfy the homeowner’s passion for horticulture and to provide much needed colour, we created large flower beds which became the main focus of the garden. We also used a wide variety of trees and plants hand selected and specially cultivated from cuttings by the client. Due to the sunken nature of the lower patio, there was potential for flooding during heavy rain. To resolve this, we introduced a hidden slot drain that was able to cope with large volumes of water.

Maidenhead Home

Thames Valley Landscapes

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Berkshire with a retaining wall and brick pavers.

Greenwich Park Garden

David Berarducci Landscape Architecture

Small contemporary courtyard shaded garden in Boston with a water feature and brick pavers.

Driveways

Terra Verde

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun driveway in Providence with a water feature and brick pavers.

Contemporary Garden Design Ideas with Brick Pavers

Get Inspired by Contemporary Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own contemporary garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Contemporary Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a contemporary garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a contemporary garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your contemporary garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.